Department Listing

Staff Listing

From Bobsledding to Bedding

Our industry
attracts some of the brightest talent and passionate workers who choose this
business because they love it—and it shows!
One such example is Brittany Reinbolt. During the summer months, she provides
housekeeping services on MasterCorp’s elite A-Team, earning her enough money to
train and compete on the U.S. national bobsled team during the winter.

Brittany’s
dedication and work ethic as an athlete carries over into her work for
MasterCorp. And in return for her hard work and passion, the company supports
her pursuits toward an Olympic dream by allowing her the flexible schedule she
needs to train. Resorts rely on hardworking and outstanding individuals to
ensure the best vacation experience for guests, and many of our resorts turn to
MasterCorp’s A-Team when clients require extra personnel for resort openings,
management transitions, and training missions.

Brittany’s
story is one of many exceptional employees in this industry, and we are lucky
to have them! Read Brittany’s full story.

Top Resorts Earn Highest Industry Honor

By Kathryn Mullan, ARDAJune 24, 2015

“ARDA awards its highest honor to both a domestic and an international resort.”

The ACE
Project of Excellence Award is ARDA’s most prestigious award, honoring resorts
that are leading examples of vacation amenities and the ultimate owner
experience. The award has gotten so competitive that this year, ARDA
awarded this accolade to both a domestic
and an international resort.

On
April 15, ARDA was proud to award the domestic ACE Project of Excellence Award
to Hyatt Ka’anapali Beach, a Hyatt Residence Club Resort, and the international ACE to Novaispania Los Cabos (an RCI affiliate,
developed by the Pueblo Bonito Resort Group). “We are proud to present these ACE Project
of Excellence Awards
to two truly deserving winners, as great examples of amazing development throughout the world,” said Catherine Lacey, RRP, vice president of meetings and member administration, ARDA.

There are some key similarities between
this year’s winners; both offer
a slice of ocean-
front paradise, stunning
views and design elements, as well as exquisite concierge
service. Here’s a glimpse
into these award-winning properties.

Hyatt Ka’anapali Beach

Almost every one of the 131 units looks out on Hawaii’s
spectacular Ka’anapali Beach. The others? They have to settle for a view of the
mountains of Maui. The grounds are lush with native plants. The outdoor dining
offers views of both the ocean and the infinity pool. And in every direction,
the grounds unfold as an exotic adventure. Of course, the story of Maui itself is a magical
one. And it’s told throughout the property in the handiwork and craftsmanship of many local artists. With all the amenities and
attention to detail, it’s easy to see why this Hyatt resort was a deserving
winner of this ACE award!

Novaispania
Los Cabos

The world of
this resort invites you to step away from the bustle of nearby Cabo San Lucas
and everyday reality to rest and relax—rest the spirit, body, and mind and take
in the beauty of enchanted gardens under waterfalls, all in Old World comfort. From
the resort’s villas, there is the option for an indoor/outdoor kitchen, a
private infinity pool, and a master bedroom that overlooks the ocean. A
personal chef prepares your evening meal or you may have cocktails and dine at
one of the many fine restaurants on property. This resort is proof that the market
for luxury and world-class amenities is not endangered but growing, just like
the resort itself and the employment it is bringing to the Cabo residents and
the region as a whole.

These two resorts
exemplified what it means to be an ACE award winner, and have set the bar high
for future winners. Read the full story in the latest June issue of Developments.

Timeshares Lead to More Frequent, Happier Vacations

What has happened to vacation? Or as the Time Magazine asked “Who Killed the Summer Vacation?” Our recent survey results show that it’s definitely not the timeshare owner!

In fact, an impressive one-third of timeshare owners have taken four or more vacations in the last three years alone. This is quite telling when compared to non-timeshare owners--only 18% have taken four or more vacations in the last three years. With today’s hectic lifestyle it is becoming even more important for people to get away and experience a relaxing vacation.

Furthermore, timeshare owners say they experience a happier, more relaxing time while away. When compared to non-owners, timeshare owners experience more happiness in each of the seven distinct vacation lifecycle phases, from planning the vacation to the first day all the way to the afterglow that the vacation leaves when it’s over.

A better vacation experience with timeshares comes from the ease of planning, spacious accommodations, and the choice of resorts all over the world. To find out on how you can experience more and happier vacations, check out VacationBetter.org!

Intersecting Industries

Brent Bellm, President & CEO of
HomeAway

There are many alternatives to traditional hotel stays when it comes to
vacationing today. Of course, timeshare is one and vacation home rentals is
another. At HomeAway, we decided to see if we can marry the two and provide yet
another alternative for today’s travelers.

Beginning in
2012, we engaged a number of
vacation ownership industry leaders—including
Westgate Resorts and Wyndham
Worldwide—to distribute their inventory on HomeAway to gauge the demand of
timeshare-style accommodations from
HomeAway travelers. Traveler
demand showed a very strong initial surge, and we knew we could create a synergy within the industry.

Our
relationship with ARDA was initiated
at the same time. HomeAway is an ARDA Trustee member, and we provide front-line support in the
legislative and regulatory arena as well.

I believe we
will see more resort developers and
suppliers testing the waters of the
vacation rental market for their
unused and unsold properties. I also
believe that we will see further distribution of these properties not only on our sites but on third party sites (like Expedia) as well.
High-quality visibility and increased exposure is essential in this competitive environment, and so we have
partnered with key vacation ownership professionals to ensure we’re offering the best accommodations for our travelers. And moving forward, we are
looking for even more synergies between our approaches!